Fans fume as FA Cup tie live on BBC cancelled just five minutes before kick-off
Alfreton Town were forced to postpone their FA Cup clash at home to Walsall on Saturday just FIVE minutes before kick-off because of a frozen pitch.
The second-round tie was due to be broadcast live on the BBC and both teams had gone through their warm-ups. At 12:29pm, though, a social media post from Alfreton read: "Despite our best efforts unfortunately the match officials have called the match off. Apologies to those that have travelled. We will provide further updates when we have them."
Saturday's postponement marked the latest in a swathe of call-offs up and down the UK due to the frosty weather, with Walsall fans having made the 48-mile journey and arrived at Alfreton's home ground, North Street. Manchester United had trouble in the morning when their flight to Newcastle was cancelled, forcing Erik ten Hag and his squad to take a three-hour coach up to the north east.
As for the BBC, they've been forced to show Money for Nothing instead of the planned FA Cup action. Fans were furious at the "ridiculous" late decision, with one social media user writing: "[Walsall manager] Mat Sadler on the BBC just now said that he knew the game wouldn't go ahead as soon as they got to the ground so why didn't the ref make the decision then if it was so obvious? Not thinking of the fans at all."
One fan defended Alfreton by claiming: "Everyone having a pop at Alfreton are embarrassing themselves. It's not their fault." A second added: "Lots of unneeded hate in this thread, a tier six football club cannot be expected to have the infrastructure for a heated pitch.
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"Best decision, perhaps an earlier call would have saved people the 48-mile trip+ parking. No doubt refunds will be issued/tickets re-used for new date." Another said in response to Alfreton's tweet: "Literally just sat down to watch, gutted for you and the fans."
This weekend's second round has been rife with call-offs. Sutton United's tie at home to Barnsley was postponed 10 days ago after the away side were kicked out of the FA Cup due to fielding an ineligible player in the first round. On Friday night, Blackpool were informed that they wouldn't be welcoming Forest Green Rovers.
(Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)A statement from the Football Association read: "We are investigating a matter in relation to Forest Green Rovers' involvement in the Emirates FA Cup, relating to the eligibility of a player used by Forest Green Rovers in the first round.
"As a result, Forest Green Rovers' second-round fixture away at Blackpool FC, which was scheduled for Saturday 2 December, has been postponed. This matter is subject to an ongoing investigation and we will provide a further update in due course.
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